Senior Program Manager Quality & Practice

At Play Matters Australia, we enrich lives through connection and play. We value collaboration, inclusivity, creativity, fun, accountability, and contemporary practice. Recognising parents and caregivers as a child’s first teacher is central to our programs.

Join us in creating playful, nurturing environments where all children thrive.

Play Matters is committed to the safety of children and young people across the organisation. Our recruitment practices include Working with Children Checks and reference checks to support the selection of suitable people. 

Hybrid or remote full-time, fixed-term role for 76 hours per fortnight from November 2026 until May 2027 as a maternity leave backfill.

This is an opportunity to lead Play Matters Quality & Practice team and the implementation of the FY 26/27 Quality Plan. This role is also responsible for leading delivery operations for key Inclusion programs PlayConnect+ and MyTime. As a key leadership position at Play Matters, the Senior Program Manager Quality & Practice works alongside Service Delivery Managers and the General Manager Service Delivery to strategically lead the high-quality practice of Play Matters programs and service. This is a highly collaborative role with key responsibilities for leading continuous improvement and process improvements. 

• Advocacy and Leadership: Advocate for Play Matters vision, mission, and strategy by providing leadership to direct reports and the external community/sector. Adopt a leadership style in alignment with PMA’s Leadership strategy and values.

• Operational Management: Oversee the program lifecycle, including development, implementation, and closure. Manage stakeholder expectations to ensure high-quality outcomes. Plan, direct, and coordinate regional projects and activities, ensuring all reporting obligations are met to a high standard.

• Continuous Improvement and Innovation: Lead the analysis and implementation of systems and processes for streamlined reporting and data collection. Develop program resources such as quality frameworks, program logics, and practice manuals in line with best practice and evidence-based practices.

• People Management: Inspire and manage team members, including recruitment, onboarding, training, and regular supervision to ensure compliance with program guidelines.

• Networking and Partnerships: Proactively engage with stakeholders, develop and maintain effective partnerships, and promote PMA within the local community.

• Compliance and Administration: Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, manage administrative tasks, and oversee the collection and maintenance of accurate data.

• Workplace Health & Safety (WH&S): Lead by example to contribute to a workplace environment and culture that adheres to WH&S legislation and advocate for child-safe practices and principles.

• Budget Management Support: Assist general managers with budget management of programs as delegated, including preparing budget submissions and ensuring financial compliance.

• Funding and Professional Development: Collaborate with the General Manager Service Delivery and other stakeholders to secure funding opportunities. Maintain professional knowledge through conferences, literature, and seminars.

• Qualifications and Experience: Bachelor's or postgraduate degree in early childhood, community development, disability, family support, or related fields and/or experience working with families from diverse backgrounds, leading teams across multiple portfolios, and managing geographically dispersed teams.

• Operational Management: Proven experience in operational management, implementing strategic business plans, and developing programs, practice guides, and evaluations.

• Networking: Strong ability to network and build sustainable relationships within the sector.

• Compliance: Holds or is eligible to hold a valid Working with Children Check.

• Fun and inclusive company

• Development and leadership support

• Flexible working arrangements

• Supportive workplace environment

• Purchased leave

At Play Matters Australia, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. As part of our core values, we embrace inclusivity and actively uphold our Reconciliation Action Plan through a dedicated working group. We strive to ensure that every team member feels valued, respected, and supported. We have also introduced cultural leave to honour and recognise the diverse cultural backgrounds of our employees. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and communities to join us in making a positive impact on the lives of children and families.

If you would like to request any adjustments so you can participate in this recruitment process, please let us know so that we can accommodate you.

To apply, please submit your CV and Cover Letter by 18 August 2026.

For any questions, please reach out to Julia Oreopoulos: ***********@playmatters.org.au, using the subject line: Senior Program Manager Quality and Practice.

Our recruitment process for shortlisted candidates will include,

1. A telephone interview,

2. A face-to-face interview and,

3. Two reference checks from previous managers (with one from your most recent manager).

If there are any concerns with the above requirements, please discuss these with Julia so that we can consider appropriate accommodations.